Chinese President Xi Jinping announced further military personnel cuts at the opening of the parade held earlier on Thursday

BEIJING, September 3. /TASS/. China will complete the reduction of its military personnel by 300,000 by 2017, spokesman for the Chinese Defense Ministry Yang Yujun said on Thursday.

"China will reduce its military personnel by 300,000 by 2017," the Chinese central television quoted Yang Yujun as saying. The personnel cuts will primarily affect units armed with outdated weaponry and administrative staff.

"The Chinese armed forces will be downsized, but will become more efficient," Yang Yujun said.

Chinese President Xi Jinping announced further military personnel cuts at the opening of the parade held earlier on Thursday to mark the 70th anniversary of the Victory in World War Two and the end of the war of resistance against Japanese invaders.

"We, the Chinese people, love peace. No matter how much stronger we will become, China will never seek hegemony or expansion. China will never inflict sufferings on any other nation," he said.

The Chinese military personnel has been reduced three times since 1980. The Chinese People’s Liberation Army numbers about 2.3 million servicemen.